Wow – we’ve reached the end of another season! I’m so proud of this show, and love hearing from you about how these topics and episodes are helping to drive discussions, make decisions, and think about end of life to more purposefully live each and every day!

You may recall that Season 1 had the threads of “Finding Meaning” (be sure to check out David Kessler’s book if you haven’t yet!  Finding Meaning, the Sixth Stage of Grief) and having conversations before it’s too late. This season has really been about “Connections.” On today’s show, I reflect on how the last 13 episodes have brought about so many connections; of themes, people and relationships.

Thank you to all my guests this season, who have given their time to share stories, experiences and expertise with all of us! Returning guest Steve Messick took a deeper dive into Trusts; Katie Novak explained additional healthcare documentation for end of life; Mike Zinda, Lis Klein and Melissa MacPhail shared their stories of loss; Mike White provided insight into what to expect from a funeral home and what planning can be done; Micah Webb spoke from the heart and educated us about becoming an organ and tissue donor; and Sam Devine, Dan Neitz and my Grandma Dorothy Waska helped to share unique perspectives on death and dying. Last but certainly not least, Kelly Grosklags shared her beautiful wisdom and perspective that helped me be open to signs – and I share a story with you today about a dream that would never have meant anything without our conversation.

There is so much more to come with this show and the topic of preparation for life’s inevitable conclusion. Thank you for being a part of this with me, and please keep watching and listening for what comes next!

Referenced on this episode:

The Mel Robbins Podcast: Simple Life Hacks That Will Change Your Future (Steal These Habits from Billionaires)

If you have a topic or guest idea, I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: [email protected], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook OR Instagram! 

#episode28 #season2 #connections #findingmeaning #grateful

#thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast

Today’s important episode is about the option to be an organ and tissue donor at the end of life. Micah Webb joins me today. She is the Donation Liaison from LifeSource, one of 56 Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) in the country, serving the second largest geographic region. https://www.life-source.org/

I learned of LifeSource following the death of my brother, Dan. Micah educates me further on how impactful this organization is from start to finish in the donation process, some myths and common misconceptions, and how powerful one donor’s gifts can be! Micah has her own story of loss that propelled her into this impactful career.

While this episode is very informative and was intended to be so, I was surprised to find that this was also a powerful and emotional topic, and I appreciate Micah’s time to explain what an incredible gift it is to be a donor.

Here are some additional links from LifeSource: 

• Anyone can register to be an organ donor. To register, visit life-source.org/register or check the box at your DMV
• Watch this video to learn more about the donation process.
• The latest from LifeSource (questions, myths, stories, and more).

If you have a topic or guest idea, I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: [email protected], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook OR Instagram! 

#episode27 #organdonation #tissuedonation #beadonor #lifesource

#thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast

#death #dying #grief #life #hope #passion #purpose #preparation

#devinefoxproductions

It’s been a while, but today’s episode is just me, talking to you. Synchronicity hit hard again, as the universe aligned to allow me a week to record in the studio without a guest. If you feel like the action steps have been overwhelming in all of our This Side of the Grass episodes, today’s episode is for you.

As I recap the checklist that we’ve had throughout all 25 episodes so far (wow!), I break it down to be more manageable, and hopefully actionable. You are definitely not alone if you haven’t gotten too far yet, or even started. This Side of the Grass Checklist

As you go through my list, or even if you have a checklist for another task that you’ve been avoiding, assess the feelings that are connected to the list and try to separate them from the tasks themselves. It’s a blessing if the checklist works for you and is helpful, but could feel like a curse when it brings up negative feelings. A checklist is not the feelings or the actions; it’s just a tool. Additionally, know that the “checklist” may not be the best tool for you!

You are not alone, and I know you can do this!

If you have a topic or guest idea, I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: [email protected], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook OR Instagram! 

#episode26 #checklists #gainmomentum #startwithone #youcandothis

#thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast

#death #dying #grief #life #hope #passion #purpose #preparation

#devinefoxproductions

It was my absolute honor to spend time with Kelly Grosklags on today’s episode. Kelly shares her thoughts, experiences and learnings from nearly 30 years in and around the fields of grief and end-of-life care. 

Our conversation makes its way to the importance of signs from those who have died, the magnitude of speaking the names of our loved ones who are gone, and how their relationships to us and our love for them did not die with them. Love and grief are connected, and it is so important to be gentle with ourselves in the grief space, no matter how long it’s been since they have passed away.

As noted in the disclaimer today, there was an audio card issue with our main microphones, so sincere apologies that the episode does not sound as crisp, clean and intimate as previous episodes – but this was not a conversation we could have ever replicated, and I wanted you to hear it. 

References in the episode:

Kelly’s website, Conversations with Kelly: conversationswithkelly.com 

Kelly’s books: A Comforted Heart (2017) and When Love Meets Grief (2024)

If you have a topic or guest idea, I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: [email protected], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook OR Instagram! 

#episode25 #conversationswithkelly #saytheirnames #acomfortedheart #whenlovemeetsgrief

#thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast

#death #dying #grief #life #hope #passion #purpose #preparation

#devinefoxproductions

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and today’s episode – both recorded and released in September of 2024 – is about suicide. My friends Melissa MacPhail and Lis Klein bravely join me to share their experiences losing loved ones to suicide: Melissa’s dad, Jerry; and Lis’s brother, Steve. Through our conversation, we touch on forgiveness, healing, the stigma of dying by suicide, and memories they have of their loved ones.

This topic is so important, yet it is very hard to discuss. I encourage you to listen with an open mind, grace and love in your heart for family and friends who are still grieving loved ones that died in this way, no matter how long it has been. And if you or someone you know is struggling and considering suicide, please call the suicide and crisis hotline by dialing 988. Help is available.

References in the episode:

As Lis mentioned, here is Steve playing guitar with a friend, recorded February 10, 2008: Flight from Rangoon - Jam session w/ Steve & Brandon (Steve is on the left, in the brown t-shirt.)

Recently heard on the podcast Terrible, Thanks for Asking: https://ttfa.org/episodes - The top two Anthology episodes are the ones I referenced, called “Two Letters- A Widow Remembers Her Husband with Two Letters” and “Stories of Suicide & Loss”.

If you have a topic or guest idea, I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: [email protected], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook OR Instagram! 

#episode24 #suicide #suicideprevention #nameit #endthestigma

#thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast

#death #dying #grief #life #hope #passion #purpose #preparation

#devinefoxproductions

Wow. If today’s episode with guest Dan Neitz doesn’t help you to see endings differently, I don’t know what will! Endings are not just deaths, but a near-death experience is what brought Dan to clarity and purpose in his life and in his work. 

On today’s episode, we hear Dan’s story of dying from sepsis, and being brought back to life. His perspective and intentionality of making his life matter had been gnawing at him since he was a child, but nearly dying brought him to a crystal clear realization of his path – a very different path than he had been on. 

If you’d like to learn more about Dan’s work, please visit his website: https://workthecor.com/

If you have a topic or guest idea, I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: [email protected], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook OR Instagram! 

#episode23 #NDE #neardeathexperience #lifechanging #livelikeyouaredying

#thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast

#death #dying #grief #life #hope #passion #purpose #preparation

#devinefoxproductions

Attorney Steve Messick is back! As promised on his first high-level show about all things legal when it comes to dying, Steve and I take a deeper dive on legacy planning through Trusts. One of the big take-aways: you don’t have to have millions of dollars for a Trust to be a valuable planning tool!

If you haven’t yet listened to Steve’s first show, released May 30, 2024, here it is:

This Side of the Grass, Episode 11: The Legal Side of Dying

Disclaimer: The information discussed today is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice regarding your individual situation.

Click here for more information about the work that Steve and his firm do, or to reach out to start the estate planning process: Messick Law, PLLP

Additional information on the planning process shared in the previous episode:

Uniform Law / Multi-jurisdictional code

Minnesota Law probate & planning

If you have a topic or guest idea, I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: [email protected], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook OR Instagram! 

#episode22 #Trusts #Wills #Legacy #estatelaw #estateplanning

#thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast

#death #dying #grief #life #hope #passion #purpose #preparation

#devinefoxproductions

On today’s episode, I am joined by 4th generation owner of White Funeral Homes, Mike White. Mike’s family has been serving the Twin Cities community in Minnesota for more than 125 years, and currently own and operate 5 funeral homes in the South Metro area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. 

Mike has an amazing vantage point of life, loss and what it is like working daily with families who have experienced loss. He and his sister, Meg, have followed in the footsteps of their father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and are working with the next generation of the White family to continue to carry on their legacy – a truly remarkable achievement for any small business! Mike shares some fascinating history of his industry, as well as practical and helpful insight into what questions to think about when it comes to funeral and visitation planning.

Pre-planning services are available through most funeral homes, and if you are in the Twin Cities, consider joining Meg White Heintze at one of their upcoming events:

– Tuesday, 9/24/24 at 11:00AM, White Funeral Home, 20134 Kenwood Trail in Lakeville, MN.

Presenter:  Meg White Heintze - Pre-planning and Educational Specialist

– Thursday, 10/17/24 at 6:00PM, White Funeral Home, 12804 Nicollet Ave in Burnsville, MN.

Pizza and Preplanning: "You'll feel better when you can say… Everything is taken care of"

This program will include information on Legal Tools (Estate Attorney Carrie Renner), Medical Assistance Planning (Pat Zalusky), and Planning a Meaningful Service (Meg White Heintze)

Click here for more information: White Funeral Homes

If you have a topic or guest idea, I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: [email protected], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook OR Instagram! 

#episode21 #funeralhomes #preplanning #cremation #burial #conversationsaboutdeath

#thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast

#death #dying #grief #life #hope #passion #purpose #preparation

#devinefoxproductions

I called an audible today! No notes or outline, but today’s show is a rich and entertaining conversation with Sam Devine. Sam is the “Devine” part of DevineFox Productions, the company that produces “This Side of the Grass”. He also has his own podcast called “Legacy Matters”, and today’s episode is a blend of his show and mine, as we just talk. 

Our conversation still centers around end-of-life, and the situation that Sam is experiencing in his life and family right now. 

I was recently a guest on Sam’s show, and you can listen here: Legacy Matters - Val Amsden: Podcastress of Death! 

Laugh along with us as we have a conversation about life, death and legacy.

*Note: The episode mentioned with guest Mike White will be available on 9/5!

If you have a topic or guest idea, I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: [email protected], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook OR Instagram! 

#episode20 #legacymatters #conversationsaboutlife #conversationsaboutdeath

#thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast

#death #dying #grief #life #hope #passion #purpose #preparation

#devinefoxproductions

Isn’t it kind of crazy to think that there are days that completely change the course of your life… and when you wake up on those days, oftentimes you don’t even know it’s about to happen. It’s only when you look back that you realize your entire life changed on that day.

On today’s solo episode, I take a little pivot. Instead of sharing a specific preparation step or lesson learned following the death of a loved one, I share a personal story that helped to change my trajectory and one that has helped me immensely – especially during challenging times. For me, this included the day I lost my brother, but challenging days could be any life-altering event: a break-up, a diagnosis or losing your job. Challenge is all around us, and you are not alone. 

I appreciate you allowing me to share this story and experience with you, and I encourage you to find people who will lift you up and encourage you during challenging life situations and times of loss. 

Coaching podcasts that are referenced on this episode, from two of my favorite coaches:

Into The Roar, with Martin Rooney

The Cross-eyed Bear podcast, with Eric Parent

If you have a topic or guest idea, I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: [email protected], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook OR Instagram! 

#episode19 #growth #challenge #lessonsfromcoaching #TFW #TFW4life

#thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast

#death #dying #grief #life #hope #passion #purpose #preparation

#devinefoxproductions